Marquez Released By Barcelona

byBrian HallonAugust 1, 2010

Mexico national team captain and longtime Barcelona center back Rafael Marquez has opted to leave the squad on a free transfer. In a similar move as Thierry Henry, the La Liga giants agreed to release the defender from his current contract despite the fact it didn’t end until 2012. The move was allegedly made so that the defender could sign a deal with the New York Red Bulls of the MLS.

The Mexican captain has been on several teams wish list this summer and after several rumors of potential transfers for the defender have circulated, it appears the American league currently has the edge on the competition. And considering Marquez’s lack of playing time and significant injuries in the last few seasons, the writing appeared to be on the wall for the Mexican’s departure from Camp Nou.

And with over 240 appearances for the Spanish side the center back was an extremely valuable player for the former treble winners over the last half of a decade and his presence will be missed in Spain. But the MLS appears to be the perfect place for the former Barca man to go. First off, he’s getting up their in the years. Secondly, he is injury prone. And thirdly, he is of course Mexican and is fairly well known in the States due to the national team rivalry between his national team and the USA.

Of course I am being a bit sarcastic here about the MLS’s recent transfer targets, but the former Barca man should have at least a few moderately successful seasons left in the tank. David Trezeguet of Juventus is another potential transfer for the MLS squad in the next season as well, so apparently the Red Bulls desire the big European move despite the fact that the players targeted are well past their prime.

And Marquez will likely join the MLS, so look for this development in the next few weeks.